Overview
Program Handbook
The Bachelor of Science in Medical Imaging program is an online degree completion program designed to support career development of a variety of imaging sciences' professionals (radiologic technologists, sonographers, nuclear medicine technologists, MRI technologists, and radiation therapists). The program builds upon professional imaging credentials and prior credits earned allowing individuals to progress toward the completion of a bachelor’s degree. The program is delivered in a dynamic online environment to meet the needs of working medical imaging professionals.
The Bachelor of Science in Medical Imaging program provides technologists with a diverse plan of study in advanced medical imaging, imaging and healthcare administration, technical imaging specialties, and general education coursework. For technologists wishing to pursue additional certification, the program curriculum provides the theoretical knowledge required for multiple post-primary certification exams.* The program also prepares students for roles in medical imaging management through the study of finance, human resources, and asset and operational management. For students who wish to continue their education beyond a bachelor’s degree, the Bachelor of Science in Medical Imaging program provides a solid foundation for graduate study.
*Students preparing for the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) or Nuclear Medicine Technology Certification Board (NMTCB) post-primary certification exams must meet clinical experience requirements not required by this program. Students should contact the ARRT or NMTCB for complete exam requirements.
Mission Statement
To support the career advancement of Imaging Sciences’ professionals by providing a balanced curriculum in a flexible, responsive, and engaging learning environment.
Program Goals & Learning Outcomes
Our mission is realized by assuring our students will be able to:
- Demonstrate knowledge of advanced imaging modalities
Learning Outcomes
- Exhibit educational competence in one or more advanced imaging modalities.
- Exhibit essential managerial skills to lead in the Imaging Sciences
Learning Outcomes:
- Demonstrate effective presentation skills.
- Develop structured project management plans.
- Perform fundamental managerial tasks.
- Make use of research to contribute to quality and safety initiatives in the Imaging Sciences.
Learning Outcomes:
- Demonstrate effective writing skills.
- Provide patient-centered care using appropriate health literacy strategies.
- Integrate medical imaging literature into clinical practice.
- Apply quality improvement models to address common imaging problems.
- Identify safety concerns associated with advanced imaging modalities.
Admission Requirements
Qualifying Pathways
Pathway 1: An applicant with an associate degree in Radiologic Technology, Radiation Therapy, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Nuclear Medicine Technology, and/or Sonography (General, Cardiac, and/or Vascular) from an institution that is approved/accredited by a recognized accreditor and a regional accrediting organization recognized by the Council of Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).
- Cumulative GPA of 2.00 or higher from an institution that is approved/accredited by a recognized accreditor and a regional accrediting organization recognized by the Council of Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).
- Currently registered and in good standing with the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT), the Nuclear Medicine Technology Certification Board (NMTCB), and/or the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS).
Pathway 2: An applicant without an associate degree who completed a hospital-based program, military program, or a diploma program in Radiologic Technology, Radiation Therapy, Nuclear Medicine Technology, and/or Sonography; or an applicant with a relevant imaging science associate degree from an institution that is approved/accredited by a national accrediting organization recognized by the Council of Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).
- Cumulative high school GPA of 2.00 or higher, or minimum cumulative college GPA of 2.00 if 15 or more credits have been earned from an institution that is approved/accredited by a regional accrediting organization recognized by the Council of Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).
- Currently registered and in good standing with the ARRT, NMTCB, and/or ARDMS.
- Pathway 2 students are granted 39 college credits for their primary certificationⱡ with the ARRT, NMTCB, and/or ARDMS.
Pathway 3: An applicant currently enrolled in an associate degree program in Radiologic Technology, Radiation Therapy, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Nuclear Medicine Technology, and/or Sonography (General, Cardiac, and/or Vascular) at an institution that is approved/accredited by a regional accrediting organization recognized by the Council of Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).
- Current cumulative GPA of 2.00+ or higher from an institution that is approved/accredited by a regional accrediting organization recognized by the Council of Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).
- Within six months of graduating a program leading to ARRT, NMTCB, and/or ARDMS certification exam eligibility.
- Student must be registered with ARRT, NMTCB, and/or ARDMS before the start of the second semester in the program. Failure to obtain the required certification and registration will prevent progression in the program until the certification and registration is achieved.
Provisional Admission
Pathway 2 applicants with a GPA below the indicated threshold may be provisionally admitted if the following criteria are met:
1. Hold and maintain active registration with ARRT, NMTCB, and/or ARDMS.
2. Register for IMG 325 and IMG 400 in the first semester (FA/SP).
Provisional status will be removed after completing IMG 325 and IMG 400 with a grade of “B” or better. Failure to do so will prevent progression in the program.
ⱡ Licensure verification is used in lieu of hospital-based program transcript, if applicable.
+ Final college transcripts showing degree conferral must be received before the first semester’s add/drop deadline. Final cumulative GPA must remain 2.00 or higher.
Requirements for Clinicals (optional part of the program)
Criminal background checks, drug screens, health records, and titers/immunizations are required prior to the start of the clinical program. Program requirements and instructions are maintained on the College website at https://mercycollege.edu/background. The Policy can be found at https://mercycollege.edu/about/compliance-consumer-information.
Prior Learning Credit
Students who have earned credentials and maintain active status for the certifications in the following table will be recognized as having achieved the learning outcomes for the corresponding coursework in the Medical Imaging program. Students will be granted the credit hour equivalent for the respective credentials. This credit is in addition to credit granted for initial certifications, as described in the Transfer Credit Policy.
Primary Credentials
| Primary Credentialing Bodies |
Credit Hours |
| ARRT; ARDMS; NMTCB; and CCI |
Two primary credentials = IMG 491 (15) |
- Individuals holding two (2) or more primary pathway credentials will receive fifteen (15) credits of prior learning, and fulfill the program’s advanced imaging requirement.
- Primary pathways are defined as:
- ARRT
- Radiography (R)
- Radiation Therapy (T)
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging* (MR)
- Nuclear Medicine (N)
- Sonography (S)
- Vascular Sonography (VS)
- ARDMS
- Registered Diagnostic Medical Sonographer (RDMS)
- Register Vascular Technologist (RVT)
- Registered Diagnostic Cardiac Sonographer (RDCS)
- NMTCB
- Certified Nuclear Medicine Technologist (CNMT)
- CCI
- Registered Vascular Sonographer (RVS)
- Registered Cardiac Sonographer (RCS)
*MR is considered a primary pathway if credential is earned after completing a JRCERT-accredited MR program. Otherwise, MR certification will be considered a post-primary modality, equivalent to 9 credit hours.
Post-Primary Credentials
ARRT
| Credential |
Credit Hours |
Course Equivalent |
| Bone Densitometry (BD) |
6 |
IMG 345: IMG 491 (3) |
| Breast Sonography (BS) |
6 |
IMG 491 (6) |
| Cardiac Interventional (CI) |
9 |
IMG 491 (9) |
| Cardiovascular Interventional (CV) |
15 |
IMG 491 (15) |
| Computed Tomography (CT) |
9 |
IMG 310; IMG 330; IMG 340 |
| Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MR) post-primary |
9 |
IMG 310; IMG 430; IMG 440 |
| Mammography (M) |
6 |
IMG 350; IMG 355 |
| Quality Management (QM) |
3 |
IMG 491 (3) |
| Vascular Interventional (VI) |
9 |
IMG 450; IMG 491 (6) |
ARDMS
| Credential |
Two Specialties |
Three Specialties |
Four Specialties |
Course Equivalent |
RDMS
|
(AB)(OB/GY) = 6 |
(AB)(OB/GY)(PS) = 12
(AB)(OB/GY)(BR) =12
(OB/GY)(PS)(BR) =12
|
(AB)(OB/GY)(PS)(BR) = 15 credits
|
IMG 491
|
| (AB)(PS) = 6 |
| (OB/GYN)(PS) = 6 |
| (OB/GYN)(BR) =6 |
| (AB)(BR) =6 |
RDCS
|
(AE)(FE) = 6 |
(AE)(FE)(PE)=12
|
N/A
|
IMG 491
|
| (AE)(PE) = 6 |
| (FE)(PE) = 6 |
CCI
| Credential |
Credit Hours |
Course Equivalent |
| Advanced Cardiac Sonography (ACS) |
6 |
IMG 491 (6) |
| Registered Congenital Cardiac Sonographer (RCCS) |
6 |
IMG 491 (6) |
| Registered Cardiac Electrophysiology Specialist (RCES) |
9 |
IMG 491 (9) |
| Cardiovascular Invasive Specialist (RCIS) |
9 |
IMG 491 (9) |
NMTCB
| Credential |
Credit Hours |
Course Equivalent |
| Computed Tomography (CT) |
9 |
IMG 310; IMG 330; IMG 340 |
| Nuclear Cardiology Technologist (NCT) |
6 |
IMG 491 (6) |
| Positron Emission Tomography (PET) |
6 |
IMG 491 (6) |
| Radiation Safety (RS) |
3 |
IMG 491 (3) |
Other
| Credentialing Body |
Credential |
Credit Hours |
Course Equivalent |
| ABII |
Certified Imaging Informatics Professional (CIIP) |
3 |
IMG 305 |
| ABMRS |
Magnetic Resonance Safety Officer (MRSO) |
3 |
IMG 445 |
| BPNC |
Certified Navigator – Breast Imaging (CN-BI) |
3 |
IMG 491 (3) |
| ISCD |
Certified Bone Densitometry Technologist (CBDT®) |
6 |
IMG 491 (6) |
| MDCB |
Certified Medical Dosimetrist (CMD) |
15 |
IMG 491 (15) |
| RACC |
Certified Radiology Administrator (CRA) |
12 |
HCA 312; HCA 410; IMG 410; IMG 470 |
A student must meet institutional residency credit hour requirements regardless of total number of credits earned for professional certifications. 36 credit hours will need to be taken at Mercy College and 15 of those 36 hours must be courses with an IMG prefix.
Abbreviations:
- ABII – American Board of Imaging Informatics
- ABMRS – American Board of Magnetic Resonance Safety
- ARDMS – American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography
- ARRT – American Registry of Radiologic Technologists
- BPNC – Breast Patient Navigator Certification Program
- CCI – Cardiovascular Credentialing International
- ISCD – International Society for Clinical Densitometry
- JRCERT – Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology
- MDCB – Medical Dosimetrist Certification Board
- NMTCB – Nuclear Medicine Technology Certification Board
- RACC – Radiology Administration Certification Commission
Degree Requirements
To earn the Bachelor of Science Degree in Medical Imaging, students must complete all college requirements for a Bachelor of Science Degree including the following:
General Education Requirements
REL 290: Specific courses are required by the program.
Complete All of the Following Courses:
Oral and Written Communication (GCOM) - 6 minimum
Math, Statistics, and Logic (GMSL) - 3 minimum
Social and Behavioral Sciences (GSBS) - 6 minimum
Arts, Humanities, Culture, and Diversity (must include six credit hours in Religious Studies) (GAHD/GAHR) - 9 minimum
Natural Sciences, Technology, and Innovation (GNSI) - 6 minimum
Additional hours from one or more of the above categories - 6 minimum
Required Medical Imaging Program Course Requirements
Complete All of the Following Program Courses:
| HCA 301 | Introduction to the United States Healthcare System | 3 |
| HCA 312 | Human Resource Management in Healthcare Organizations | 3 |
| HCA 410 | Introduction to Healthcare Finance | 3 |
| IMG 305 | Imaging Informatics | 3 |
| IMG 325 | Communication and Patient Education | 3 |
| IMG 410 | Quality Improvement in Medical Imaging | 3 |
| IMG 415 | Research in Medical Imaging | 3 |
| IMG 470 | Medical Imaging Management | 3 |
| IMG 480 | Medical Imaging Capstone | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 27 |
Medical Imaging Program Safety Course Requirements
Complete 3 Credit Hours from the Following Courses:
| IMG 400 | Medical Imaging Safety and Standards | 3 |
| IMG 445 | Magnetic Resonance Imaging Safety | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 3 |
Medical Imaging Program Elective Course Requirements
Complete 15 Credit Hours from the Following Courses:
| IMG 310 | Sectional Anatomy for Medical Imaging | 3 |
| IMG 330 | Principles of Computed Tomography | 3 |
| IMG 340 | Computed Tomography Applications | 3 |
| IMG 345 | Principles of Bone Densitometry | 3 |
| IMG 350 | Principles of Mammography | 3 |
| IMG 355 | Advanced Breast Imaging | 3 |
| IMG 370 | Advancements in Sonography | 3 |
| IMG 399 | Special Topics in Medical Imaging | 1-3 |
| IMG 430 | Principles of Magnetic Resonance Imaging | 3 |
| IMG 431 | Advanced Imaging Practicum | 1-3 |
| IMG 440 | Magnetic Resonance Imaging Applications | 3 |
| IMG 445 | Magnetic Resonance Imaging Safety | 3 |
| IMG 450 | Principles of Vascular-Interventional Radiography | 3 |
| IMG 491 | Independent Study in Medical Imaging | 1-3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 15 |
Credit Hour Requirements
| Total Required Bachelor of Science General Education Credit Hours |
36 |
| Total Required Medical Imaging Program Credit Hours |
27 |
| Total Required Medical Imaging Program Safety Credit Hours |
3 |
Total Medical Imaging Elective Credit Hours
|
15
|
Free Elective Credit Hours
|
39
|
| Total Credit Hours for Graduation |
120 |
Students may be required to take additional free elective credits to reach the 120 credit hours required for graduation. Free elective credit may be satisfied through prior coursework and transfer credit. See academic advisor for more details.
To complete college requirements students must complete a minimum of 36 credit hours of 300 to 400 level coursework.